3 November 2019

In response to the publication of the results of the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) by the OECD today, UCAC education union has called for all concerned to make wise use of the data.

Dilwyn Roberts-Young, UCAC General Secretary said “This year’s PISA results provide a wealth of information about various aspects of our education system. The headlines are comparatively encouraging – and everyone concerned is to be congratulated on that. However, we must be careful to go beyond the headlines.

“It appears that some of the reforms that have already been implemented are beginning to pay off. But we must remember that the major reforms to the curriculum, assessment arrangements and accountability systems have yet to be put in action. We now need to concentrate on implementing those reforms in an effective way over the coming years if they are to help us on our journey towards improving education for all in Wales.

29 October 2019

TUC Cymru have produced an eNote in response to the rise of far right extremism in our workplace and communities.

The resource is available in Welsh and English here:

https://www.tuc.org.uk/farright

The eNote:

• explains who the far right is and why we oppose them;
• gives you practical tips on how to campaign against the far right;
• lets you practice answering difficult questions you may encounter.

28 October 2019

I am writing to you in my capacity as Secretary General, Undeb Cenedlaethol Athrawon Cymru (UCAC).UCAC is an all-Wales union for teachers, headteachers and lecturers - the only trade union specifically for Wales.

This correspondence is in response to your request for unity from within Catalonia and beyond to principles leading to calls for the release of Catalonia's political prisoners imprisoned due to injustice.

We condemn the continuing threat to the people of Catalonia and support your statement that 'it is always our duty to promote dialogue, critical spirit, respect for diversity, citizen participation in public affairs, and a democratic resolution of conflict'.

We stand with you as a Union that firmly believes in the role and power of education in promoting the above principles and duties, and in nurturing generations of principled, conscientious and creative citizens in our respective countries.

We will, of course, be thinking of you at such a difficult time.

22 October 2019

In response to an announcement by Education Minister, Kirsty Williams AM on 22 October about school teachers’ pay award for 2019-20, UCAC education union has warned that the pay rise must not come at the cost of further cuts to school budgets.

Dilwyn Roberts-Young, UCAC General Secretary said “Although we called for an across-the-board pay rise of 5%, UCAC acknowledges that the 2.75% pay award moves us in the direction of restoring the value of teachers’ salaries.

“We also welcome the fact that the Education Minister went beyond the Independent Welsh Pay Review Body’s initial recommendation of 2.4%.

10 October 2019 

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